Automatic disconnector apparatus



y 1943- H. B. ROBINSON 2,320,051

AUTOMATIC mscommcwoa APPARATUS Filed A ril 18, 1941 POWER ROD INVENTOR HOM ER B. ROBINSON BY IL -140 M ,5?

mm rm Patented May 25, 1943 AUTOMATIC DISCONNECTOR APPARATUS Homer B. Robinson, Webb. City, Gkla, assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application April 18, 1941, Serial No. 339,231

9 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus that is adapted to automatically disconnect members which are arranged to reciprocate in the direction of power transmission. While this invention may be employed with various types of equipment in which power is transmitted in a reciprocating manner, it isespecially applicable for disconnecting power rods from pull rods in deep well pumping systems- In the pumping of oil wells in which production has diminished to such an extent that it is no longer economical to pump each individual well by means of a separate unit, it has been the practice for-many years to operate a group of neighboring Wells by means of a central power unit. As the productivity of a well becomes further decreased, it will eventually reach a stage where it is neither economical nor practical to pump the same continuously. Under these circumstances, each well is connected to andbperated by the central power for onIy-suilicient periods each day to remove bottom hole accumulations of oil. This procedure requires the attenclance of a lease 'pumper whose duties include connecting and disconnecting particular wells to and from the central power unit at the proper time each day. The connections are made manually by means of the commonly known hookon and hook-oil device which is used to couple the horizontally reciprocating power rods to pull rods extending to the pump jack. Also, present day hook-on and hook-off devices are extremely hazardous as they are frequently the cause of grave injury to the lease pumper.

The practice of my instant invention obviates many dililculties experienced heretofore, and provideo for automatic hook-off to place individual pumps out of service after a predetermined number of strokes of the pumping cycle. The overall opei'ation of my device is semi-automatic, requiring the lease pumpers services only upon starting up of the individual pumps; The apparatus is also adapted to be used in the operation of Wells which are allowed to produce only a certain. proportion of their capacity production;

The pumper will therefore have more time to allot to the maintenance of his lease and in many cases may be able to take care of a greater number of wells than formerly. The human factor is also eliminated by the use of my device as there is no danger of costly damage to pumping equipment or increased treating of crude oil, which usually occur when the pumper, through negligence, permits one or more pumps to function for prolonged unproductive periods. I a

It is the primary object of my invention to provide means whereby a reciprocating power transmitting member may be disconnected from a reciprocating power utilizing member at wi and without the aid of an attendant.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic disconnector apparatus for placing reciprocating members out of service after a predetermined number of strokes.

A further object of my invention is the provision of apparatus of the character indicated, which apparatus is simple and sturdy in construction; positive and dependable in operation; and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, install, operate, and maintain.

These and additional objects and advantages will be apparent to persons skilled in the art by reference to the following description and annexed drawing which is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown a frame work consisting of a pair of posts I and 2, positioned Vertically in the ground '3', and a substantially horizontal support 4. A power rod '5 having an end loop 6 is connected to and operated by a central power unit (not shown). A pull rod 1, which is attached to the usual line rods and pumping jack (also not shown), is secured to a pull rod extension member 8. The extension member is provided with a coupling member, such as a hook 9, which is pivotally connected thereto to facilitate connection of the hook with loop Ii. Thus, the central power unit may transmit power through the power rod and the pull rod to the pumping jack. When the power rod is disconnected'from extension member 8, hook 9 pivots downwardly by gravity into a vertical osition where loop '6 cannot engage hook 9.

It will be noted when the power rod is connected to extension 8, that pull rod 1 and the extension member are arranged to reciprocate through guide sleeves l0 and H, respectively. Mounted on the horizontal member are a ratchet wheel l2 and pin gear I 3 which rotate on shafts i4 and i5, respectively. Ratchet wheel l2 has a plurality of openings It into which a pin I? may be inserted. A lever l8 mounted also on shaft 14 in a pivotal manner, extends below the pull rod. A block l8, which is fixed to the pull rod, engages and moves the lever when the pull rod moves to the right. A pawl 20 is carried on lever It so as to engage ratchet wheel l2 when the pull rod moves to the right and thereby turn this ratchet wheel'in a counter-clockwise direction. When thepower rod moves to the left, the

lever assumes a vertical position by gravity. The rotation of ratchet wheel I2 brings pin I! in engagement with pin gear l3, causing it to rotate in a clockwise direction. Pin gear l3 also is provided with a plurality of openings 2| into which a pin 22 may be inserted. Upon rotation of gear i3, pin 22 engages a bar 23 of any desired length, causing it to move to the left. It will be noted that bar 23 is slidable through one or more supports 24 which suspend the bar in a desired position, through post 2, and through a slidable vertical member 25. Member 25 is enclosed by a housing 26 which is welded or secured by any other suitable means to post 2. The housing serves as a guide means for member 25 after it has been released by bar 23 and begins to move downwardly through the housing. A notch 21 is provided in extension 8 to receive member 25 which, after dropping into the notch, arrests the reciprocating movement of pull rod extension 8 to maintain the pull rod in a predetermined position.

In operation, my device serves to disconnect or hook-off the power rod from the pull rod after a predetermined number of strokes of pull rod 1. The number of teeth of ratchet wheel l2 and pin gear i3 will determine the number of strokes of the pull rod before the device is hooked-01f. When power rod 5 is connected to extension member 8 by means of hook 9 and loop 6, the reciprocation of the power rod is transmitted to the pull rod. As the pull rod moves to the right, block l9 engages lever l8, moving the lever to the right. This causes pawl to rotate ratchet wheel l2 in a counter-clockwise direction through a desired angle. After a predetermined number of strokes, pin l'l engages pin gear l3 and rotates it in a clockwise direction. Afterfurther reciprocation of the pull rod, pin

22 moves bar 23 to the left. When bar 23 has moved far enough to the left, member 25 is freed therefrom and moves downwardly through housing 26 to be received by notch 2! of the extension member. With the lower end of member 25 in notch 21 and the upper end in housing 26, the stroke of the pull rod to the left is arrested, but the stroke of the power rod continues for a short distance to the left so that hook 9 is free to pivot downwardly from 100p 6 and to assume a substantially vertical position. Thus, the power rod is disconnected from the extension member. It will be noted that the power rod may continue to reciprocate after the motion of the pull rod has been arrested. In order to place the pull rod back into reciprocating motion, the apparatus may be set either manually or by some other means.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the operation and advantages of the apparatus for practicing my instant invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art. It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the apparatus shown and described may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for automatically disconnecting a reciprocating power transmitting member from a reciprocating power utilizing member, the combination comprising a coupling including a unit connected to one of the reciprocating members and a unit connected to the other reciprocating member, means rotatable by one of the reciprocating members, and means cooperating with the aforementioned means upon the completion of a predetermined number of strokes of the reciprocating members for engaging the power utilizing member as it moves in one direc tion to maintain the same in a predetermined position intermediate its extreme limits of travel, permitting disengagement between the coupling units on continued movement of the power transmitting member in the same direction.

2. In apparatus for automatically disconnecting a reciprocating power transmitting member from a reciprocating power utilizing member, the combination comprising a coupling, including a unit connected to one of the reciprocating members and a unit connected to the other reciprocating member, means rotatable by the power utilizing member, and means cooperating with the aforementioned means upon the completion of a predetermined number of strokes of the reciprocating members for engaging the power utilizing member as it moves in one direction to maintain the same in a predetermined position intermediate its extreme limits of travel, permitting disengagement between the coupling units on continued movement of the power transmitting member in the same direction.

3. In apparatus for automatically disconnect ing a reciprocating power transmitting member from a reciprocating power utilizing member, the combination comprising a coupling including a unit connected to one of the reciprocating members and a unit pivotally connected to the other reciprocating member, means rotatable by one of the reciprocating members, and means cooperating with the aforementioned means upon the completion of a predetermined number of strokes of the reciprocating members for engag-, ing the power utilizing member as it moves inone direction to maintain the same in a predetermined position intermediate its extreme limits of travel, the pivotally connected unit pivoting out of engagement with the other unit of the, coupling on continued movement of the power transmitting member in the same direction.

4. In apparatus for automatically disconnect-- position intermediate its extreme limits of travel,- the pivotally connected unit pivoting out of en-' gagement with the other unit of the coupling on continued movement of the power transmitting member in the same direction.

5. In apparatus for automatically disconnecting a reciprocating power rod from a reciprocat-; ing pull rod in a well pumping system. the combination comprising a coupling including a unit connected to the power rod and a unit connected to the pull rod, one of said units being pivotally connected to its rod, rotatable means, means coacting with the pull rod for imparting rotation to said means during each complete stroke of the pull rod, and means cooperating with the rotatable means upon the completion of a predetermined number of strokes of the rods for engaging the pull rod as it moves in one direction to maintain the same in a predetermined position intermediate its extreme limits of travel, the pivotally connected unit pivoting out of engagement with the other unit of the coupling on continued movement of the power rod in the same direction. g

6. In a well pumping system wherein a reciprocating power rod is connected to a reciprocating pull rod by a coupling including a unit secured to the power rod and a unit secured to the pull rod, one of said units being pivotally connected to its rod, the improvement comprising means adapted to automatically disconnect the I rods and including rotatable means comprising a ratchet wheel, a pin carried by the ratchet wheel, and a pin gear operable by the pin, means adapted to impart rotation to the rotatable means during each complete stroke of the rods, and means adapted to cooperate with the rotatable means upon the completion of a predetermined number of strokes of the rods for engaging the pull rod as it moves in one direction to maintain the same in a predetermined position, thereby permitting the pivotally connected unit to pivot out of engagement with the other unit of the coupling on continued movement of the power rod in the same direction.

'7. In a well pumping system wherein a reciprocating power rod is connected to a reciprocating pull rod by a coupling including a unit secured to the power rod and a unit secured to the pull rod, one of said units being pivotally connected to its rod, the improvement comprising means adapted to automatically disconnect the rods and including rotatable means comprising a ratchet wheel, a pin carried by the ratchet wheel, and a pin gear operable by the pin, means adapted to coact with the pull rod for imparting rotation to the ratchet wheel during each complete stroke of the pull rod, and means adapted to cooperate with the rotatable means upon the completion of a predetermined number of strokes of the rods for engaging the pull rod as it moves in one direction to maintain the same in a predetermined position whereby the pivotally connected unit is permitted to pivot out of engagement with the other unit of the coupling on continued movement of the power rod in the same direction.

8. In a well pumping system wherein a reciprocating power rod is connected to a reciprocating pull rod by a coupling including a unit secured to the power rod and a unit secured to the pull rod, one of said units being pivotally connected to its rod, the improvement comprising means adapted to automatically disconnect the rods and including rotatable means comprising a ratchet wheel, a pin carried by the ratchet wheel, and a pin gear operable by the pin, means adapted to coact with the pull rod for imparting rotation to the ratchet wheel during each complete stroke of the pull rod, and means adapted to cooperate with the rotatable means upon the completion of a predetermined number of strokes of the rods for engaging the pull rod as it moves in one direction to maintain the same in a predetermined position intermediate its extreme limits of travel whereby the pivotally connected unit is permitted to pivot out of engagement with the other unit of the coupling on continued movement of the power rod in the same direction.

9. In disconnecting means adapted to be used with a well pumping system to effect the disengagement of a coupling having a unit connected to a reciprocating power rod and a unit connected to a reciprocating pull rod, one of the units being pivotally connected to its rod, the combination comprising rotatable means, means coacting with one of the rods for actuating the rotatable means on each complete stroke of the rods, and means responsive to movement of the rotatable means, said last mentioned means being adapted to engage and maintain the pull rod in a predetermined position intermediate its extreme limits of travel.

HOMER B. ROBINSON. 

